Intel

Intel’s WiMAX Strategy: Watch the Market Mature While Developing LTE

Ruizhi Wu on July 13, 2010 | 2 comments

Early this month, Intel, in an internal meeting, decided that it would disperse WiMAX Program Office (WPO), and its staff were transferred to three departments, including Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group (MWG), PC Client Group (PCCG) and the Sales and Marketing (SMG) division. The news spreads extremely fast among the industry circle, causing misunderstanding that the dissolution of the WPO is a prelude that Intel is pulling out from the WiMAX industry. As Intel failed to notify the Taiwanese Ministry of Economic Affairs,withwhich it has a cooperation agreement and memorandum of understanding (MOU),Intel partners in Taiwan has been thrown into a panic.

In order to eliminate the panic, Intel clarified,

“Intel is integrating its WPO into various platform, product and sales organizations as part of a normal course of business today. The progress of WiMAX leads to this organizational transition as a normal process that takes place as new technologies mature and become a standard part of existing computing platforms,”

Atthe initial stage of WiMAX market, Intel has always been in a leading role, in terms of network construction, standards development, and the chip R & D levels research. However, after WiMAX industry enters large-scale commercialization and the industry chain is already mature, the technology and equipment are becoming steadily standardized. Although there still exist issues, such as the lack of terminal devices, with a number of ecosystem partners the technology is now mature enough.More importantly, the improving performance of commercialized WiMAX network has attracted an increasing number of carriers to deploy this 4G standard.The mission of WPO has been accomplished. Therefore, Intel does not need to invest that much on WiMAX in the current situation.With no intention to exit the WiMAX camp, Intel is trying to balance between its relatively mature WiMAX business and its developing LTE technology to guarantee Intel’s initiative in the 4G market.

Taiwan region stands in the cutting edge of WiMAX equipment development. According to statistics, until the third quarter of 2009, China-Taiwan had supplied approximately 98 percent of WiMAX terminal products of global demand, reaching 844,500 units. Many Taiwan enterprises including macro, Asus, HTC, MediaTekhave become the leading WiMAX manufacturers, holding a solid partnership with Intel.

New direction of WiMAX

With the increasing popularity of LTE standard globally, there has been some instability in the WiMAX camp. Plenty of manufacturers and carriers have dropped their existing WiMAX programs and instead, started to develop LTE network.… Read the rest

CLEAR and Best Buy Teaming To Provide 4G Laptops from Dell

Michael Licata on June 21, 2010

Clearwire announced that all Intel core processors must have 4G capabilities in all Best Buy stores by holiday season 2010. The initiative starts now as consumers will be able to access the fastest wireless Internet connection through CLEAR.

“Embedding 4G technology into laptops and netbooks makes it easy for consumers to experience CLEAR’s super fast mobile Internet service on the latest devices,” Mike Sievert, chief commercial officer for Clearwire, said, “The discounted summer and holiday pricing on CLEAR-ready laptops from Intel and available through Best Buy is another way Clearwire is working to meet the rapidly growing demand for true mobile broadband services in the U.S.”

End users that purchase an Intel laptop at Best Buy will be able to stream high quality live video anywhere within the WiMAX network. Family members can upload video to their Facebook page while in the backseat of their minivan. Some of the laptops include the Dell Inspiron 14, Dell Inspiron 15, Dell Mini 10 and Toshiba Satellite M645.

All of CLEAR’s data plans are unlimited, meaning they won’t penalize you for using too much data like the other wireless carriers. The packages start at $40 per month, with bundled services for home and mobile applications. Consumers that purchase one of the 4G embedded laptops are eligible for a $100 discount when customers sign up for CLEAR service with a two-year service agreement.

It’s a solid partnership between three strong companies. Getting the laptops WiMAX-embedded makes it easier for adoption because no additional device is necessary. Just turn on the WiMAX internet connection, purchase a CLEAR service plan and you’re off to super fast wireless connection anywhere within the network.

CLEAR covers 51 million people currently with plans on launching 12 more markets this summer. They currently have markets in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Chicago, Seattle and Las Vegas. They plan on launching more networks in 2010, including San Francisco, Boston and New York, covering 120 million people by the end of the year.… Read the rest

Computex Taipei 2010 Expo: Intel Corporation’s Relentless Dedication to Mobile WiMAX

Sanjiv Gupta on June 16, 2010

Once again, history in broadband wireless for PC communications was made in Kiev, Ukraine on the week of May 24th, 2010 with the official launching of Intel’s embedded Mobile WiMAX solution by Freshtel. Intel Corporation in conjunction with Freshtel partnered up to demonstrate several WiMAX-Ready PCs containing Intel’s silicon ingredients (Intel Core Ix Processor for Notebooks, Intel Atom N4xx Processor for Netbooks and Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N + WiMAX 6250 for Mobile Broadand). One week later, Intel showed off its latest processor technologies embedded inside a variety of standard/ultra-low – voltage notebooks, standard/sleek netbooks and standard/slate tablets (e.g. JooJoo Slate Tablet, Network Navigator NAV9, etc.) at Computex 2010 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Using Intel’s processing power, a variety of dazzling applications were demonstrated: e.g. 3D video, augmented reality, Intel Wireless Display, Intel(R) My WiFi Technology, MeeGo, etc. at several booths which comprised the impressive Intel pavilion. Taking center stage inside the Intel Pavilion was one of the Intel Mobility booths – this particular one was dedicated to demonstrating live WiMAX using a slew of PCs available in the market (Lenovo Thinkpad T410 Notebook (Intel® Core™ i5 CPU M520 @ 2.40GHz w/NVIDIA NVS 3100M), Lenovo Thinkpad T510 Notebook (Intel Core i7 CPU M620 @ 2.67GHz w/ Graphics Media Accelerator HD), Lenovo Thinkpad X201S Notebook (VMAX- Certified), Acer Aspire 5745 Notebook, MSI U135 Netbook (Intel Atom CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), ASUS EeePC 1001PG Netbook (VMAX – Certified, Intel Atom CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 Netbook (Intel® Atom™ CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), 2Go Classmate PC E10 Netbook (technology demo, Intel® Atom™ CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz), and Samsung NP-N210 Netbook (Intel® Atom™ CPU N450 @ 1.66GHz/1.67GHz)).

The WiMAX-Enabled Dell Inspiron Mini 1012 and Toshiba Satellite U505 can both be purchased @ Best Buy inside the US. All PCs contained the Intel 6250 WiMAX PCI Express Mini card – with one set of PCs (Lenovo, Samsung, MSI) connected to an in-pavilion Alvarion WiMAX Base Station @ 3.5GHz channel frequency, whereas the others (Dell, Acer, 2Go, ASUS) were connected to the extended VMAX network (in-pavilion Samsung WiMAX Base Station) @ 2.5GHz. The emphasis here was to show the global frequency support of Intel’s embedded WiMAX solution. A large high definition display showed off some killer applications requiring WiMAX‘s broadband pipe: e.g. Livecasting from Taipei’s VMAX network, Livecasting from Portland’s CLEAR network (Tri-Met trains) and Microsoft IIS Smooth Streaming of Big Buck … Read the rest

Lee Highlights Interact Collabright, Latest from Greenpacket

Moshe Lehmann on May 21, 2010 | 2 comments

GoingWiMAX.com recently interviewed Senior General Manager of Greenpacket Berhad, Kelvin Lee. He provided insight into the latest offering from the WiMAX company, Interact Collabright. They worked with Intel to develop the latest in messaging software.

1. Tell us a little about your relationship with Intel?

We worked closely with Intel to develop Interact Collabright, which was fully built on Intel’s My WiFi technology SDK. Interact Collabright is an application that allows users to easily share files, screens, and chat with one another wirelessly via a personal area network (PAN).

Intel Capital, Intel’s global investment arm, is invested in Green Packet Berhad.

2. How does the Collabright platform complement your WiMAX technology?

Greenpacket is an end-to-end provider of mobile broadband and networking solutions. The introduction of Collabright complements our existing portfolio of wireless networking products which gives us a wider market reach. This way, we have a strong foothold in the wireless industry whether it’s WiMAX, WiFi, 3G or the like.

3. Could you explain, briefly, the advantages and benefits Collabright will provide customers?

Consumers are empowered to easily share information like files, folders and screens, chat, and even share their internet connection securely without conventional network infrastructure. We are shelving the need for hardware like routers, hubs, modems, cables and such. Consumers can form their own secure PAN workgroup within WiFi radius, wherever and whenever they want to as long as they have their My WiFi enabled PC with Interact Collabright installed. Simply put, we are innovating the way we communicate wirelessly.

4. How does this software further your broader technology and market strategies?

Interact Collabright widens Greenpacket’s reach as it allows us to penetrate into the huge notebook ODM/OEM market. Together with our ICMP and ISMP software solution and WiMAX devices, we can now cater to 3G and WiMAX operators, as well as notebook manufacturers. We will continue to innovate to entrench our position as a unique end-to-end solutions provider.

5. Who are the primary target customers for this independent, personal network?
Our customers are notebook ODM and OEM manufacturers. In a highly competitive market, these manufacturers are continuously searching for value-added features that they can give to their customers and Interact Collabright will appeal for both business and personal use.

6. So, in a nutshell, how does Collabright work?

Interact Collabright is an application built to unleash the capabilities of Intel My WiFi technology. A notebook … Read the rest

Greenpacket and Intel Release Latest Messaging Software

Michael Licata on May 6, 2010

Greenpacket and Intel release Interact Collabright. The Collabright application delivers Personal Area Network technology that expends Intel’s My WiFi Technology.

Collabright allows users to connect through PAN, chat with multiple partners and share files and folders. It’s a secure device-to-device connection that allows users to share audio-visual files and documents without the worries of it being seen by unwanted eyes.

“Interact Collabright, in combination with Intel My WiFi Technology, innovates information sharing without the need for conventional network infrastructure or expensive AV equipment,” Kelvin Lee, Senior General Manager of Greenpacket said, “With the rapid increase in data transfer, this application which makes sharing easy will be welcomed by users today. Collabright is like a big meeting room connecting people beyond four walls.”

Greenpacket is talking with laptop makers to put the Collabright software into PCs. It gives the company another market to penetrate, along with the modem and operator market. The software should innovate how data and information are transferred between users.

“As consumers increasingly connect WiFi-enabled peripherals, laptops and devices to each other, they want the ability to easily transfer data between them,” said Ashish Gupta, Marketing Manager of Intel’s Mobile Wireless Group. “Intel is working with Greenpacket to integrate their Interact Collabright application with our award-winning Intel My WiFi Technology software and look forward to providing users with a simple way to share their screens, files and folders, chat, or even their internet connection.”

The video conferencing capabilities of Collabright should interest business executives because it allows for more mobility. The recent announcement from Clearwire that they’re releasing a video heavy WiMAX-enabled phone, combined with the Collabright software showcases the potential for mobile interactive video conferencing. Business could be done anywhere.… Read the rest

Top WiMAX Vendors Team For WiMAX 2.0 Development

Michael Licata on April 14, 2010

Wireless industry leaders will team up to develop the next-generation of WiMAX. The grouping will be called the WiMAX 2 Collaboration Initiative and it will speed up the standards and devices that will be part of WiMAX 2.0. The testing will be based on the IEEE 802.11m standard. It will be peak data rates of more than 300 Mbps. It allows operators to keep the spectrum supply meet the every increasing demand of wireless data. The testing is expected to be complete by the second half of 2010.

Alvarion, Beceem, GCT Semiconductor, Intel, Motorola, Samsung, Sequans, XRONet and ZTE will help foster the evolution of WiMAX by providing a better value chain for service providers. The group will work with the governing body, WiMAX Forum on interoperability and establishing standards for WiMAX 2.0. The objectives include developing the technology, testing 4G applications for WiMAX 2.0, interoperability testing and preparation for WiMAX Forum certification.

WiMAX is not seeing a linear shift in mobile broadband usage. Operators are trying to satisfy hungry data consumers and the spectrum advantage is the most important part. Users on some networks use 7-10GB of data a month. The first edition of WiMAX showed how there can be an open model for high speed wireless internet. WiMAX 2.0 will continue to grow the model, along with providing faster speeds and keep up with the ever growing data demand.

“The wireless industry is convinced that the growing volume of data consumers are eating up is a bad thing,” said Mike Sievert, Chief Commercial Officer, Clearwire. “But for us, our spectrum position gives us tremendous capacity and the ability to meet the explosive demand for mobile broadband. Today our CLEAR mobile customers are using an average of more than 7GB of data per month on our network. And while other companies are considering how to curtail usage, we simply say to our customers, here’s the Internet: the world in the palm of your hand – enjoy it.”

Over the next few months, the group will provide detailed updates, so that the WiMAX Forum can certify commercial-ready products by late 2011. In a keynote address at WiMAX Forum Congress Asia, Samsung Executive Vice President and Head of the Telecommunications Systems Business, Samsung Electronics Woonsub Kim stressed the importance of mobile WiMAX is the 4G technology now, and that Samsung is committed to expanding WiMAX 2.0.

“In both standardization and

… Read the rest

Global Industry Analysts’ Report Predicts Future WiMAX Expansion

Elizabeth Dickey on March 25, 2010 | 2 comments

Global Industry Analysts, Inc. (GIA), just announced the release of a global report on the WiMAX market, predicting that the world market for WiMAX will exceed $9.4 billion by 2015. Despite the current economic downturn that threw most major industries for a loop, the report says that WiMAX is expected to recreate momentum thanks to a greater number of mobile WiMAX-enabled tools, growth in base station operation, and expansion in other emerging markets.

As WiMAX becomes more commercially accessible, main targets for WiMAX growth will be up and coming markets who have little or no DSL coverage. International areas of potential WiMAX growth and current WiMAX rollout include Eastern and Central Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Central America and Latin America. At present, India is considered to be the biggest WiMAX opportunity and various providers are scrambling to get their stake there.

International WiMAX growth in 2009 decelerated a bit over the course of the year while the global economic recession resulted in a decline in monthly revenues from business users. Hurdles with deployment for WiMAX operators involving financing, regulations, and spectrum allocation all played their respective parts in this decline. Keep in mind that growth is still expected, particularly after Q1 2010 showed major expansion in WiMAX devices, deployment, and subscribers.

Nationally, the WiMAX market has been growing and will continue to increase in not only remote, hard-to-reach areas, but now in major metropolis’ as well. Major factors that will drive continued adoption of mobile WiMAX are shifts in user spending towards wireless broadband services and rationalization of communication services expenses by consumers. Top WiMAX provider Clearwire has already rolled out WiMAX in over 30 markets across the country with plans of WiMAX in more major cities including New York and San Francisco for 2010.

Another factor to be taken into consideration in the future of WiMAX is the development of LTE and the hype surrounding it, as it is expected to have a major impact on the 4G world. In terms of the WiMAX-LTE debate, some are skeptical and believe that for one to prosper, the other must fail. In reality, the possibility of dual WiMAX and LTE-enabled devices has already been in the works with major 4G players including Clearwire, Intel, Nokia, and Sprint and shows real promise.

The report titled “WiMAX: A Global Strategic Business Report” announced by GIA provides a comprehensive … Read the rest

Intel Release WiMAX 2.0 Findings

Michael Licata on March 9, 2010 | 3 comments

An Intel executive stated that standards for WiMAX 2.0 will be finalized by the end of 2010. Deployment will be widespread by 2012 with standard, 802.16m providing faster download and upload speeds.

Intel research found that users will have 170 Mbps download speeds and 90 Mbps upload speeds. The research also stated that the technology can be used at traveling speeds of up to 217 miles per hour. Current operators use 802.16e, mobile WiMAX that’s compatible with laptops, USB dongles and other mobile devices.

Internationally, Taiwan, the Philippines, and India are being seen as good testing grounds for WiMAX launch because of the large population bases in each country. India has the highest subscriber rate in mobile phones. Yota leads the revolution in Russia, breaking even only after a few months. Clearwire, backed by Sprint, leads the way with 27 markets in the U.S., and is looking to add the Houston, Boston, New York and Washington D.C. markets in 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Josh Bancroft via Flickr… Read the rest

Dell Mini 10 In Line for Built-In WiMax

Elizabeth Dickey on February 8, 2010

Dell’s Mini 10 now appears to be the next in line for built-in WiMax.

It is an otherwise unmodified version of Round Rock’s 10-incher with an Intel Atom N450 processor paired with Intel GMA graphics, 1GB of RAM and a 250GB hard-drive.

Still unknown is whether or not Dell will be offering the new WiMax Mini 10 with a carrier. Because the high-speed wireless service is currently only available in a minimal number of markets, this seems to be a likely decision. There is no word yet on a release date but it is a fair guess to say that CLEAR will be the involved.… Read the rest

In-Stat Forecasts WiMax Chipset Future

Michael Licata on January 27, 2010

In-Stat released the latest study on the future of the WiMax chipset market, stating that nearly half of the unit market basis will be the chipset market by the year 2013. The equipment sector of the WiMax chipsets include laptops, modems, base stations and possibly a WiMax-enabled smart phone.

“WiMAX is not a mere niche technology to fill a void until LTE is up and running, but a complementary solution for providing last mile wireless broadband access and a true mobile Internet solution,” says Jim McGregor, In-Stat analyst. “WiMAX chipset technology has already moved beyond multiple chips to single chip solutions that integrate the baseband processor chip with the RF radio. A small group of semiconductor manufacturers have already emerged as leaders in this growing segment”.

The report stated that it expects revenue to reach $352 million for the chipset market by 2013. It also reported that Beceem, GCT, Intel and Sequans have emerged as chip makers that will continue to lead the WiMax chipset market.… Read the rest

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